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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024has been previously classified as , , and and was recently reclassified in the genus after phylogenetic analysis of its genetic sequence. An increasing number of... (Review)
Review
has been previously classified as , , and and was recently reclassified in the genus after phylogenetic analysis of its genetic sequence. An increasing number of reports of human infections by have emerged, suggesting that this microorganism is an emerging pathogen. The present review aimed to provide data on the epidemiology, antifungal resistance, clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of fungemia by by extracting all the available information from published original reports in the literature. PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched for eligible articles reporting data on patients with this disease. In total, 36 studies involving 170 patients were included. The age of patients with fungemia by ranged from 0 to 89 years; the mean age was 22.8 years, the median age was 2.2 years, with more than 37 patients being less than one month old, and 54% (88 out of 163 patients) were male. Regarding patients' history, 70.4% had a central venous catheter use (CVC), 28.7% were on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), 97% of neonates were hospitalized in the neonatal ICU (NICU), and 39.4% of the rest of the patients were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU). Previous antimicrobial use was noted in 65.9% of patients. The most common identification method was the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in 34.1%, VITEK and VITEK 2 in 20.6%, and ID32 C in 15.3%. had minimal antifungal resistance to fluconazole, echinocandins, and amphotericin B, the most commonly used antifungals for treatment. Fever and sepsis were the most common clinical presentation noted in 95.8% and 86%, respectively. Overall mortality was 20% and was slightly higher in patients older than one year. Due to the rarity of this disease, future multicenter studies should be performed to adequately characterize patients' characteristics, treatment, and outcomes, which will increase our understanding and allow drawing safer conclusions regarding optimal management.
PubMed: 38535612
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13030269 -
Microorganisms Oct 2015The yeasts constitute a large group of microorganisms characterized by the ability to grow and survive in different and stressful conditions and then to colonize a wide... (Review)
Review
The yeasts constitute a large group of microorganisms characterized by the ability to grow and survive in different and stressful conditions and then to colonize a wide range of environmental and human ecosystems. The competitive traits against other microorganisms have attracted increasing attention from scientists, who proposed their successful application as bioprotective agents in the agricultural, food and medical sectors. These antagonistic activities rely on the competition for nutrients, production and tolerance of high concentrations of ethanol, as well as the synthesis of a large class of antimicrobial compounds, known as killer toxins, which showed clearly a large spectrum of activity against food spoilage microorganisms, but also against plant, animal and human pathogens. This review describes the antimicrobial mechanisms involved in the antagonistic activity, their applications in the processed and unprocessed food sectors, as well as the future perspectives in the development of new bio-drugs, which may overcome the limitations connected to conventional antimicrobial and drug resistance.
PubMed: 27682107
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms3040588 -
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation Sep 2023We describe the case of a postoperative fungal endophthalmitis caused by , an opportunistic yeast common in nature but rare as a causative agent in ocular infections....
INTRODUCTION
We describe the case of a postoperative fungal endophthalmitis caused by , an opportunistic yeast common in nature but rare as a causative agent in ocular infections. This would be the second reported case of endophthalmitis.
CASE REPORT
A patient came to our hospital with a dense hemovitreous caused by an inadvertent ocular perforation and retinal detachment during a cataract surgery. In the days following the first vitreoretinal surgery a chronic postoperative endophthalmitis was evidenced. Only after several surgeries as well as intravitreal antibiotics and sample takings, was detected. The treatment with oral voriconazole and an intraocular lens extraction controlled the infection.
DISCUSSION
, despite not being particularly aggressive in our case, was resistant to various consequent vitreoretinal surgeries. The unresponsiveness to treatment led us to contemplate the fungal etiology, and fortunately the cultures were positive for this yeast. In conjunction to antifungal therapy, it is possible that the IOL explantation played an important role in the treatment.
CONCLUSION
A high index of suspicion must be held in cases of fungal endophthalmitis. Both IOL explantation and oral antifungal therapy are useful treatment options in cases of endophthalmitis.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Voriconazole; Saccharomycetales; Endophthalmitis; Postoperative Complications; Eye Infections, Fungal
PubMed: 36166704
DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2123834 -
Toxins Sep 2021Possible implications and applications of the yeast killer phenomenon in the fight against infectious diseases are reviewed, with particular reference to some... (Review)
Review
Possible implications and applications of the yeast killer phenomenon in the fight against infectious diseases are reviewed, with particular reference to some wide-spectrum killer toxins (KTs) produced by and other related species. A perspective on the applications of these KTs in the medical field is provided considering (1) a direct use of killer strains, in particular in the symbiotic control of arthropod-borne diseases; (2) a direct use of KTs as experimental therapeutic agents; (3) the production, through the idiotypic network, of immunological derivatives of KTs and their use as potential anti-infective therapeutics. Studies on immunological derivatives of KTs in the context of vaccine development are also described.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Communicable Diseases; Cytotoxins; Humans; Killer Factors, Yeast; Saccharomycetales; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 34564659
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090655 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Apr 2021This study isolates and identifies () AR, and studies its effect on the growth and health of weaned pigs. A strain from solid wine koji is isolated and identified...
This study isolates and identifies () AR, and studies its effect on the growth and health of weaned pigs. A strain from solid wine koji is isolated and identified using 26S rDNA analysis, and its culture conditions are optimized. Heat tolerance, bile salt tolerance, artificial gastric, and intestinal juice tolerance are evaluated. In our methodology, thirty 28 d Large White × Landrace × Rongchang weaned pigs were randomly divided into three groups with 10 barrows in each, and fed a maize-soybean meal diet and orally administered 0.85% saline (CK), 1 mL 1 × 10 cfu/mL (), and 1 mL 1 × 10 cfu/mL once daily for 28 days. A strain was identified and named AR. AR grew best in yeast extract peptone dextrose medium with pH 5.0 at 28 °C, 180 r/min and could tolerate 45 °C for 0.5 h, 0.2% pig bile salts, simulated gastric fluid, and 1.0% simulated intestinal fluid. Our results show that compared with the CK group, orally administered AR increases average daily gain, the ileal villus height, the ileal mucosal concentrations of occludin and zonula occluens-1, the serum glucose and total protein concentration, total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidative capacity activity, the trypsin and lipase activity in jejunal and ileal contents, the jejunal and ileal mucosa mRNA levels of ALP, TNF-α, and TLR-2, and the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Succinivibrionaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Prevotellaceae ( < 0.05). Compared with the CK group, oral administration of AR decreased the incidence of diarrhea, aspartate aminotransferase activity, alanine amino-transferase-activity, malondialdehyde, D-lactic acid and endotoxin content in serum, the mRNA level of aminopeptidase N of ileum mucosa, and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Clostridiaceae, Campylobacteraceae, Vibrionaceae, , and Pseudon ( < 0.05). Collectively, the study indicates that AR can tolerate high acidity and high bile salts, and has high survivability in the artificial gastric intestinal juice environment. Oral administration of AR improves the growth performance, reduces the incidence of diarrhea, enhances intestinal barrier function, and improves microflora in weaned pigs.
PubMed: 33924225
DOI: 10.3390/ani11041179 -
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.) Jan 2021Due to the extensive use of plastics, their quantity in the environment is constantly increasing, which creates a global problem. In the present study, we sought to...
Due to the extensive use of plastics, their quantity in the environment is constantly increasing, which creates a global problem. In the present study, we sought to isolate, test and identify Antarctic microorganisms which possess the ability to biodegrade bioplastics such as poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) at low temperatures. 161 bacterial and 38 fungal isolates were isolated from 22 Antarctic soil samples. Among them, 92.16% of bacterial and 77.27% of fungal isolates formed a clear zone on emulsified PBSA, 98.04% and 81.82% on PBS and 100% and 77.27% on PCL as an additive to minimal medium at 20 °C. Based on the 16S and 18S rRNA sequences, bacterial strains were identified as species belonging to Pseudomonas and Bacillus and fungal strains as species belonging to Geomyces, Sclerotinia, Fusarium and Mortierella, while the yeast strain was identified as Hansenula anomala. In the biodegradation process conducted under laboratory conditions at 14, 20 and 28 °C, Sclerotinia sp. B11IV and Fusarium sp. B3'M strains showed the highest biodegradation activity at 20 °C (49.68% for PBSA and 33.7% for PCL, 45.99% for PBSA and 49.65% for PCL, respectively). The highest biodegradation rate for Geomyces sp. B10I was noted at 14 °C (25.67% for PBSA and 5.71% for PCL), which suggested a preference for lower temperatures (at 20 °C the biodegradation rate was only 11.34% for PBSA, and 4.46% for PCL). These data showed that microorganisms isolated from Antarctic regions are good candidates for effective plastic degradation at low temperatures.
Topics: Biodegradation, Environmental; Fungi; Plastics; Polyesters; Saccharomycetales
PubMed: 33045489
DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.09.031 -
Microorganisms Apr 2023Drinking wine is a processed beverage that offers high nutritional and health benefits. It is produced from grape must, which undergoes fermentation by yeasts (and... (Review)
Review
Drinking wine is a processed beverage that offers high nutritional and health benefits. It is produced from grape must, which undergoes fermentation by yeasts (and sometimes lactic acid bacteria) to create a product that is highly appreciated by consumers worldwide. However, if only one type of yeast, specifically , was used in the fermentation process, the resulting wine would lack aroma and flavor and may be rejected by consumers. To produce wine with a desirable taste and aroma, non- yeasts are necessary. These yeasts contribute volatile aromatic compounds that significantly impact the wine's final taste. They promote the release of primary aromatic compounds through a sequential hydrolysis mechanism involving several glycosidases unique to these yeasts. This review will discuss the unique characteristics of these yeasts (, , , , , , , , and others) and their impact on wine fermentations and co-fermentations. Their existence and the metabolites they produce enhance the complexity of wine flavor, resulting in a more enjoyable drinking experience.
PubMed: 37317152
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051178 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022The co-fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ester-producing yeasts is considered to be an effective way to improve the flavor and quality of fruit wine. In this...
The co-fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ester-producing yeasts is considered to be an effective way to improve the flavor and quality of fruit wine. In this study, three kinds of ester-producing yeasts (Candida glabrata NCUF308.1, Pichia anomala NCUF306.1, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus NCUF307.1) and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 were used to simulate blueberry wine co-fermentation at different ratios. The results showed that, compared with S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 fermentation (S), the population of S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 in co-fermentation samples decreased to varying degrees, and the content of ethanol also decreased. The results also showed that the co-fermentation of C. glabrata NCUF308.1 and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 at the ratio of 1:1 (CS1), co-fermentation of P. anomala NCUF306.1 and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 at the ratio of 5:1 (PS5), and co-fermentation of W. anomalus NCUF307.1 and S. cerevisiae NCUF309.2 at the ratio of 5:1 (WS5) could significantly increase the content of ester compounds (p < 0.05), which was 3.29, 4.75, and 3.04 times that of the S sample, respectively. Among them, the sample of CS1 was characterized by phenethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate, while the samples of CS5 and PS5 were characterized by propyl octanoate and ethyl decanoate, and the sample of WS5 was characterized by 3-methylbutyl hexanoate. However, the contents of odor active compounds were higher in the CS1 sample. Therefore, the samples of CS1 had the potential to create the distinctive flavor of blueberry wine.
PubMed: 36429247
DOI: 10.3390/foods11223655 -
Microbiology Spectrum Oct 2022This study determined the composition of fungal communities and characterized the enriched fungal species in raw and roasted malts via the third-generation PacBio-based...
This study determined the composition of fungal communities and characterized the enriched fungal species in raw and roasted malts via the third-generation PacBio-based full-length single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing of the full-length amplicon of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. In total, one kingdom, six phyla, 23 classes, 56 orders, 120 families, 188 genera, 333 species, and 780 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected with satisfactory sequencing depth and sample size. Wickerhamomyces (56%), Cyberlindnera (15%), Dipodascus (12%), and Candida (6.1%) were characterized as the dominant genera in the raw malts, and Aspergillus (35%), Dipodascus (21%), Wickerhamomyces (11%), and Candida (3.5%) in the roasted malts. Aspergillus proliferans, Aspergillus penicillioides, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus represented the crucial biomarkers causing intergroup differences. Correlation analysis regarding environmental factors indicated that the water activity (a) of the samples affected the composition of the fungal communities in the malts. In practice, special attention should be paid to the mycotoxin-producing fungi, as well as other fungal genera that are inversely correlated with their growth, to ensure the safe use of malt and its end products. Fungal contamination and secondary metabolite accumulation in agricultural products represent a global food safety challenge. Although high-throughput sequencing (HTS) is beneficial for explaining fungal communities, it presents disadvantages, such as short reads, species-level resolution, and uncertain identification. This work represents the first attempt to characterize the fungal community diversity, with a particular focus on mycotoxin-producing fungi, in malt via the third-generation PacBio-based full-length SMRT sequencing of the ITS region, aiming to explore and compare the differences between the fungal communities of raw and roasted malts. The research is beneficial for developing effective biological control and conservation measures, including improving the roasting conditions, monitoring the environmental humidity and a, and effectively eliminating and degrading fungi in the industry chain according to the diverse fungal communities determined, for the safe use of malts and their end products, such as beers. In addition, the third-generation SMRT sequencing technology allows highly efficient analysis of fungal community diversity in complex matrices, yielding fast, high-resolution long reads at the species level. It can be extended to different research fields, updating modern molecular methodology and bioinformatics databases.
Topics: Humans; Mycobiome; Fungi; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Mycotoxins; Water
PubMed: 36154437
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00511-22 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2021Transcriptome analysis (TA) was conducted to characterize the transcriptome changes in postharvest disease-related genes of table grapes following treatment with...
Transcriptome analysis (TA) was conducted to characterize the transcriptome changes in postharvest disease-related genes of table grapes following treatment with induced with chitosan (1% /). In the current study, the difference in the gene expression of table grapes after treatment with induced with chitosan and that of a control group was compared 72 h post-inoculation. The study revealed that postharvest treatment of table grapes with induced with chitosan could up-regulate genes that have a pivotal role in the fruit's disease defense. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) results also confirmed that GO terms and the KEGG pathways, which have pivotal roles in plant disease resistance, were significantly enriched. The up-regulated genes of the treatment group have a unique function in the fruit's disease resistance compared to the control group. Generally, most genes in the plant-pathogen interaction pathway; the plant Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway; the plant hormone signal transduction pathway; the pathway of glutathione metabolism; the pathway of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis; and the pathway of flavonoid biosynthesis were all up-regulated. These up-regulations help the fruit to synthesize disease-resistant substances, regulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhance the fruit cell wall, and enrich hormone signal transduction during the pathogen's attack. This study is useful to overcome the lags in applying transcriptomics technology in postharvest pathology, and will provide insight towards developing other alternative methods to using bio-pesticides to control postharvest diseases of perishables.
PubMed: 34206622
DOI: 10.3390/foods10071451